Harwell proposes bill limits, committee shakeup

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- State House Speaker Beth Harwell is proposing an overhaul of the way the lower chamber of the Tennessee General Assembly does business, including limiting members to 10 bills per session and restructuring the committee system.

The Nashville Republican said Wednesday that the changes are designed to streamline operations, save money and encourage lawmakers to set priorities.

The shakeup includes splitting the State and Local Government Committee into separate panels, merging the Agriculture and Environment committees and dividing the Judiciary Committee into civil and criminal justice panels

Other proposed changes would limit each lawmaker to two floor presentations per session and ban members from voting for colleagues who are away from their desks.

The changes would have to be approved by the House Rules Committee after the Legislature convenes next month.

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